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墨書 Inktalez
I suppressed a smile and feigned calmness. "What's the deadline?"
"Six months," he replied succinctly.
How wonderful! Six months for a million, I calculated in my mind.
Gu Xijue noticed my smile and his expression darkened, as if to convey, "It's just a pretense, don't think too much of it."
I shrugged in response, ignoring his attitude; after all, all I saw was the tangible benefit of that million.
In my past life, Gu Xijue was the idol in my heart. But in this life, I have learned to love myself and understand my own worth.
Gu Xijue offered a million for me to pretend to be his girlfriend. I felt secretly pleased but thought that this price was too easy for him.
With a quick thought, I added, "Plus a small apartment in the newly developed community. I'll move out after six months. How about that?"
Gu Xijue looked slightly surprised but quickly agreed, "It's a deal."
He needed six months to secure his inheritance rights, while I desired property and funds. It was a win-win transaction.
To seize control of the family business, Gu Xijue proposed the plan of "pretending to be a couple."
In my past life, I was proud and self-respecting, disdainful of a million and uninterested in others' relationships.
But in this life, I readily agreed to Gu Xijue's proposal and even asked for the small apartment. A million for comfort; I felt quite pleased with myself.
Just as I was immersed in joy, a teasing voice suddenly came from behind me: “Miss Lu, are you short on cash?”
I turned around and saw the speaker looked familiar, but I couldn't recall who he was at the moment. But what did it matter to him about our conversation?
“Yeah, so what if I'm short on cash?” I replied nonchalantly and turned to leave.
At that moment, I suddenly remembered he was Xiang Qi, the least favored child of the Xiang Family. However, I knew well about his potential for the future. In just a year, the internet company he would take over would become an industry giant, and his business acumen would be impressive.
Whether he would take over the Xiang Family was something I had no memory of from my past life. Because not long after, I had passed away.
---
Gu Xijue, that speed is incredible! The next day, the agreement was right in front of me.
“Miss Mu, here’s the agreement for pretending to be a couple. Take a look and see if there's anything you want to add,” he politely asked, not forgetting to add, “I sent you the apartment layout on your phone; take a look and see which one you like.”
I took the agreement and glanced at it; the content was simple: I would help him deal with his mother, and he would give me one million plus an apartment.
No issues there; I immediately signed it, fearing that the money might slip away. After signing, I began to study the layout.
In the past, I wouldn't have looked twice at such an apartment, but now, hey, this would be my nest—I couldn't be careless.
I pointed to the one-bedroom unit: “This one.”
Gu Xijue paused for a moment: “Isn't the two-bedroom unit below bigger?”
I smiled and said, "I like this lighting." In my heart, I thought, a two-bedroom? I can barely manage on my own; why would I need such a large space? Besides, this one-bedroom looks warm and comfortable, just to my liking.
I hit it off with Gu Xijue and we finalized the agreement. One million, to be received in three months; the house would be delivered after one or two months of renovation. The floor was average, but at least it would be my own place, much better than that shabby employee dormitory.
As I happily envisioned the future, Gu Xijue suddenly said, "You seem quite happy to be my fake girlfriend." His gaze seemed to say, "Don't fall too deeply for me; I'm quite the expert."
I was taken aback and thought to myself: typical average guy? I'm happy because there's money involved, not because I like you. Almost laughed out loud at that thought.
"You’re overthinking it; we’re just collaborating," I said as I picked up my bag and stood up to leave, not wanting to linger. After all, getting the money was what mattered most.
Just as I was about to walk away, Gu Xijue called out to me again: "Hey, what's with that expression? I didn't mean it like that."
I turned back and looked at him with a half-smile: "What you mean isn't important; what's important is that you don't forget our agreement."
It had been a month since signing the agreement with Gu Xijue, and he hadn’t said a word. Meanwhile, I was enjoying my free time, thinking it would be best if he just handed me the house and the million directly.
During this time, I also found a job. Thanks to my dad's connections with the CEO, I got hired easily. Initially planning to work hard and earn a living, now everyone in the company knew I was the daughter of the Lu Family. The manager didn’t dare assign me too much work, and my colleagues treated me very politely.
Every day at nine o'clock, I arrived at the office on time and sat there until closing time, bored out of my mind. Once, feeling particularly restless, I asked the manager, "Is there anything I can help with?" The manager glanced at me and said, "Just help me say a few good words in front of the boss." After hearing that, I felt speechless; it seemed like I was just a decorative vase in the company.
The office area was bustling with people, the sound of keyboards clattering in a continuous rhythm, and the atmosphere was thick with competition. I sat alone in a corner, the bright light from my computer screen contrasting sharply with the busy surroundings.
Once I put on my headphones, the world fell silent, and I became engrossed in the drama unfolding on the screen. Just as I was lost in it, a colleague at the next desk poked me, breaking my immersion.
"Hey, whose phone is that?" the manager's voice came through, laced with irritation. "How many times have I said to keep your phones on silent!"
The ringtone rang out abruptly—it was mine. I paused for a moment, took off my headphones, and quietly said, "Sorry, it's me."
The manager turned around and, upon seeing me, his expression softened instantly. "Xiao Lu, quickly answer it; don't keep them waiting." He smiled then, a smile that felt somewhat ingratiating.
A tightness gripped my heart; this special treatment made me uncomfortable. I just wanted to be an ordinary employee, not someone who relied on family connections.
"Manager, I really wish you could treat me like you do everyone else," I said softly, my gaze steady.
The manager was taken aback, his smile fading as he seemed to ponder my words.
I knew this glamorous life wouldn't last long. And I was ready to embrace the ordinary yet authentic version of myself.
I picked up my phone and walked to the break room to answer Gu Xijue's call. As soon as I connected, I heard him say, "Hello, Ning Ning, why did it take you so long to pick up? Were you busy?"
Ning Ning? Who was Gu Xijue trying to annoy? However, it quickly dawned on me that he was definitely putting on a show for Mother Gu.
I almost blurted out, "Did you take your medication?" but thankfully managed to hold back.
Clearing my throat gently, I replied softly, "Xijue Ge, I was just working. What do you need?" Annoying me? Well then, let's hurt each other.
Gu Xijue seemed to be disgusted by me; he paused for a long time before speaking: "Ning Ning, the Xiang Family is having a banquet tonight. Let's go together."
"Sure, I'll get back to work then. Goodbye, Xijue Ge." After saying that, I hung up the phone. If I continued talking, I was afraid I would get goosebumps.
But a banquet at the Xiang Family? If I remembered correctly, this was to announce the heir of the Xiang Family. For the people of the Xiang Family, this might not be a good gathering. However, for me, it was just another task and some gossip.
I returned to my seat and received a text from Gu Xijue: "Okay, my mom seems to believe it."
As long as you are satisfied, Young Master. I'm still waiting for that one million.
I linked my arm with Gu Xijue's and walked confidently into the hall. Mother Gu spotted us immediately and her face lit up with joy; that smile was practically a guarantee for my wallet.
As soon as we entered the hall, I couldn't help but gasp in amazement. The Xiang Family really knew how to spend money. The venue was enormous and decorated luxuriously like a palace, with socialites gathered together in a lively atmosphere. However, I had no interest in these business pleasantries and found a corner to sit down.
Suddenly, the lights dimmed, and the head of the Xiang Group, Xiang Lin, stepped into the spotlight to begin his speech. Taking advantage of the dim light, I started to savor the delicious food in front of me. These delicacies were rare; I had to enjoy them while I could.
Just as I was enjoying my meal, someone suddenly sat down next to me. I looked up and saw it was Xiang Qi. He was staring at Xiang Lin on stage; that was his father.
I shifted slightly to my left but couldn't help sneaking glances at Xiang Qi's handsome profile. That jawline was smoother than my life plan; it was truly enviable. However, there seemed to be a hint of misalignment in his expression.
Because in the next moment, Xiang Lin announced that the Xiang Family would be inherited by his outstanding eldest son, leaving no room for others to think too much about it. This statement was clearly directed at Xiang Qi. I turned to look at him; his eyes dimmed instantly.
I thought to myself that Xiang Qi must be feeling terrible inside. His father Xiang Lin achieved his current success thanks to Xiang Qi's mother, yet he favored the child born from his first love instead. After Xiang Qi's mother left, his father remarried that first love again. Now, with his mother gone and his father indifferent towards him, it truly broke my heart for him.
"What's wrong, do I look pitiful?" Xiang Qi suddenly said with a hint of self-mockery.
I shook my head and replied seriously, "Not at all."
"Well, you don't really know me," Xiang Qi said, a trace of helplessness in his tone.
Hearing this, I perked up and couldn't help but spill my thoughts: "How could I not know? I've fallen from the clouds before. That feeling, ugh, it's really not pleasant."
"Fallen from the clouds?" Xiang Qi looked at me curiously.
"That's right, and I suspect I'll have to fall again in the future," I admitted, then paused and smiled at Xiang Qi. "But if I have to fall, then so be it. When you're alive, it feels like hell; maybe after death, you can go to heaven."
After saying this, a ripple stirred in my heart. Because the last time I died from a fall, it seemed I didn't go to heaven; instead, I returned to the mortal realm for another round. Perhaps heaven thought I still had regrets, so it sent me back to fill those gaps.
In my previous life, I had a miserable existence. I was tricked by Lu Xinyu and was thrown out without a place to land. Working in a factory tightening screws nearly cost me my life. After escaping, I could only do odd jobs, and before I even got paid, an accident killed me. At that time, I had never been in love or realized my dreams; my heart was full of regrets.
So when I saw the uncertain look in Xiang Qi's eyes, I patted his shoulder and said earnestly, "Don't worry; you can definitely do it." Because I knew he had plenty of opportunities and potential—things I lacked in my previous life.
But he shook his head and said with a complex expression, "I hope so."
I thought to myself that it wasn't just hope; he would definitely succeed! If we weren't still strangers now, I'd just stick with him this lifetime. But then again, maybe that wasn't impossible.
So I tentatively asked, "Xiang Qi, what do you think about me following you in the future?" That way, the Lu Family wouldn't dare to mess with me anymore.
Xiang Qi glanced at me and shook his head seriously. "Our company doesn't support idlers."
Tch, it really isn't working. That annoying Xiang Qi, I should have known better than to comfort you. You deserve to be neglected. I snorted coldly and shifted to the left, deciding to ignore him.
Once the banquet was over, Gu Xijue and I left. On the way, my phone buzzed with two messages—one good and one bad.
The good news was that my new apartment would be delivered tomorrow; finally, I would have my own place, and I felt absolutely thrilled about it.
The bad news was that Gu Xijue wanted to introduce me to his parents next week, which left me a bit confused. Our relationship was still just on paper.
"Isn't this a bit too fast? Shouldn't we take it slow?" I asked tentatively.
Gu Xijue smiled and said, "If everything goes smoothly next week, I'll transfer the money to you right after."
Mentioning money instantly perked me up: "Alright, but you have to reimburse me for the gifts."
I felt so happy that the bad news turned into good news in an instant. Thinking about the money and the apartment I would soon have, I couldn't sleep when I got home.
Lying in bed, I started planning how to spend that one million. First, I needed to buy some furniture for the new place to make it cozy. Then... I glanced at the designer handbags in my closet and got an idea.
If I took a few of them to the new house every now and then, no one would notice, right? And if I ran out of money later, I could sell them for cash. Why hadn't I thought of this in my previous life? Back then, I was too busy competing with Lu Xinyu and ended up losing terribly.
After work, I had to pick up the keys to my new apartment. All day long, I was distracted at work; even binge-watching my favorite shows couldn't hold my attention as my eyes kept darting to the clock. Seeing me like this, my manager came over and asked with concern, "Xiao Lu, you keep checking the time. Is there something urgent? If so, you can leave early."
In the past, I would have declined, but this time, I thanked him directly, grabbed my bag, and left. I was so excited that it felt like my feet were gliding as I rushed toward my newly purchased community.
Standing at the entrance of the apartment, looking at the empty room, I felt a deep sense of joy inside. This apartment was beautifully renovated; it just needed some furniture before I could move in. Holding the property deed in my hand, I was so happy that words couldn't describe it.
After that, I returned to the villa I bought for my parents. The villa was luxuriously decorated, spacious and bright, but I knew it ultimately wasn't mine. In comparison, this apartment made me feel more grounded.
In the following days, after work, I dashed to the mall like a rabbit, adding finishing touches to my new home while also picking out gifts for the Gu Family. During work, I would sneakily browse for tips, and after work, I headed straight to furniture stores, keeping myself busy. In the past, when shopping, I only looked at prices without considering cost-effectiveness; now it was different—I had to be frugal since I couldn't use my secondary card; otherwise, my family would immediately notice something was off.
A week later, my new home was finally set up nicely—warm and comfortable. I picked a jade bracelet for Gu Xijue's mother and selected a tea set for his father; of course, all these were paid for by Gu Xijue.
Next came my moment to shine. I specifically asked Gu Xijue to choose a suit that matched my color so that we would look more compatible together. However, upon arriving at the Gu Family's place, I felt weak in the knees. Didn't Gu Xijue say we were just meeting his parents? Why were so many relatives here?
Nevertheless, I quickly composed myself and greeted everyone with a smile. When Mother Gu saw me, her eyes squinted into slits from smiling so wide. With just my words, I managed to make Mother Gu incredibly happy. I even took the initiative to cook a few of my signature dishes, and everyone praised me for being virtuous. The more they praised me, the happier I became; after all, I was just putting on an act—I wasn't really marrying into the Gu Family.
"Xiao Lu, your cooking skills are impressive," Mother Gu complimented.
Feigning shyness, I replied, "Auntie, please don't flatter me; I'll come often to cook for you." With this charm offensive, I almost convinced myself as well.
With my smooth talking, I made Gu Xijue's relatives very happy. After dinner, Mother Gu insisted on keeping me there; I explained that I had to work the next day before finally managing to leave. Sigh... being too likable can be a burden too.
Gu Xijue was quite satisfied with my performance, but I felt he was being overly narcissistic. Before getting out of the car, he reminded me one last time: "Lu Ningning, don't really think about marrying into my family; my heart only belongs to Xinyu."
I rolled my eyes at him and said directly, "Are you satisfied now? If you are, then give me the money."
He smiled, took out his phone, and transferred money to me while muttering, "You, a young lady of the Lu Family, always thinking about money."
With a "ding," I received a notification that the money had arrived, and I finally felt relieved.
Gu Xijue drove me home; it wasn't for show, but because it was really difficult to get a taxi in this villa area. I sat in the back seat, starting to think about how to invest this one million so that it could generate more money.
Suddenly, Gu Xijue's phone rang. I glanced over and saw that the caller was Lin Xinyu. He answered the call, his tone tense as he asked, "Hello? What's wrong? Did something happen?"
After hanging up, he turned to look at me with an apologetic expression: "I'm sorry, I..."
I waved my hand to indicate that I understood: "It's fine; I can just grab a taxi nearby. There should be taxis in the business district."
I naturally wouldn't interfere in other people's romantic affairs. Although Lin Xinyu wasn't great, I didn't plan to compete with her in this life. Surviving was the first step toward turning things around.
I awkwardly got out of the car but thought about the money I had received and decided not to hold it against Gu Xijue. I opened a ride-hailing app and waited for a driver to arrive. It was quite cold, and I shivered while standing at the corner.
Finally, a car stopped in front of me. I checked the license plate before getting in. However, once inside, I glanced at the driver's profile and found him somewhat familiar.
"Xiang Qi? What are you doing here?" I asked in surprise.
Xiang Qi clearly didn't expect to run into me either and awkwardly replied, "Just making some extra money."
Oh, driving such a nice car for extra cash? So Xiang Qi is in need of money?
"The company's funds are a bit tight," Xiang Qi said helplessly.
Although I am the young master of the the Xiang Family, I am not favored. He started his own business, but his family did not support him; after all, his father only hoped he would help his older half-brother in a stable manner. But how could Xiang Qi possibly help that half-brother?
However, this gave me an opportunity.
"I can lend you some money," I said.
"You'll lend me?" Xiang Qi was a bit surprised.
"I can become a shareholder; I will invest in you," I continued.
Just like that, I lost more than half of the money I had just received. I invested eight hundred thousand in Xiang Qi's internet company, essentially betting my entire future on it. While others may not have faith in Xiang Qi, I firmly believed he would succeed.
I have to thank Lin Xinyu for that phone call, which gave me the chance to understand Xiang Qi's predicament and become a shareholder in his company.
But my gratitude towards Lin Xinyu ended there because she soon got me into big trouble.
Mother Gu finally believed that Gu Xijue and I were in a passionate relationship, only to have it disrupted by Lin Xinyu. I received a message from Gu Xijue, and he actually had the nerve to ask for my help since the agreement stated that I had to cooperate with him.
Looking at this message, I felt like spitting blood. Did he even remember what was written in the agreement? I acted so well, yet those two were completely oblivious to my feelings, caught up in their own fiery romance. What was worse was that Lin Xinyu deliberately exposed her intentions, making sure Mother Gu wouldn't miss it. That girl was definitely doing it on purpose!
However, Gu Xijue's next words eased my anger a bit. "Please, I'll just add a little more."
Add a little more? As soon as I heard those words, my eyes lit up. So I quickly replied to him: "Deal."
For the sake of money, I decided to clean up this mess again. I didn't want to do it, but he was offering too much! For the money, I'm all in!
I quietly slipped into the coffee shop where Lin Xinyu worked, found a seat near the door, and ordered an iced coffee while waiting for her. I remembered that she came here to work when she didn't have classes because she was afraid of being poor; her family wasn't well-off. After finally getting into a good university, she had no money to live on and had to earn it herself.
All of this I had overheard when she was crying to her parents in her previous life. I wasn't sure if she truly loved Gu Xijue, but she definitely feared that he would abandon her. She must have mistakenly thought that I had something going on with Gu Xijue, which was why she was so anxious and deliberately tried to test Mother Gu and me.
Lin Xinyu pushed the door open and spotted me immediately. I waved at her, and though she frowned slightly, she still sat down across from me. It was clear that she was a bit flustered.
"Do you know me?" she asked.
"Don't you know me too, Lin Xinyu?" I replied. This was the first time I had seen Lin Xinyu in this life; in my previous life, I actually disliked her quite a bit.
"What do you want from me? I’ll tell you, Brother Xijue only likes me; he’s just playing with you," she said firmly.
A sarcastic smile tugged at the corners of my mouth. Who cares about Gu Xijue? I only like money.
"Do you know that you almost ruined his future?" I took a sip of my coffee and looked at her sharply.
Lin Xinyu clearly panicked, gripping her hands tightly and her eyes darting around.
I took out the agreement I had signed with Gu Xijue and placed it in front of her. "We are indeed just playing around, but there’s a reason for it. The image we painstakingly built up in front of his mother has been destroyed by you; do you understand?"
Lin Xinyu trembled as she took the agreement, glancing at it a few times before her eyes turned red. "I was just afraid he wouldn’t love me anymore; I didn’t know he would..."
Seeing her like this, it was no wonder Gu Xijue was captivated by her. I sighed and said, "There is a way to remedy this, but it requires your cooperation."
I shared my thoughts with Lin Xinyu, and she listened attentively. Seeing her so obedient made me unsure whether she didn’t want Gu Xijue to be sad or if she was just afraid of losing the wealthy second-generation heir she had finally caught.
Of course, I didn't tell Gu Xijue about my plan with Lin Xinyu.
Lin Xinyu acted according to the plan and took the initiative to break up with Gu Xijue. No matter how Gu Xijue tried to persuade her, it was useless; she was determined. As a result, Gu Xijue went out and got completely drunk, so Lin Xinyu had to bring him back home.
Taking advantage of the situation, I sneaked into Gu Xijue's house and saw him clinging to Lin Xinyu like a child. I rolled my eyes and thought to myself: this Gu Xijue is really immature.
"Alright, you two can keep hugging. I'll just make do on the sofa for the night," I said.
With Gu Xijue like this, there was no sign of his usual calmness and rationality. It seemed that boys really do act like children in front of someone they like. Gu Xijue truly liked Lin Xinyu.
However, Lin Xinyu shook her head and firmly said, "No, I'll put him to sleep and then leave."
"If you're worried, you can keep video calling him," she added.
"I trust you, Lu Ningning." There was a hint of sincerity in her words.
This surprised me a bit. After all, in her previous life, Lin Xinyu had done everything to sow discord between me and my parents. After I was kicked out of the house, I didn't even know how many times she had stabbed me in the back. Now she actually said she trusted me, which left me a bit bewildered.
After Lin Xinyu lulled Gu Xijue to sleep, she left. This was perfect because our plan was gradually coming to fruition.
Gu Xijue's drinking place was at the Gu Family's store, so Mother Gu would definitely know about it. With Lin Xinyu taking Gu Xijue away, Mother Gu would surely come to check on him at home either early in the morning or late at night. By then, Mother Gu would definitely not allow Lin Xinyu and Gu Xijue to have any further entanglements.
Suddenly, the phone rang loudly, waking me up from my thoughts as Lin Xinyu's anxious voice called out, "Wake up quickly! Mother Gu is at the door!"
I jumped up and rushed straight to Gu Xijue's bed, pretending to be sound asleep in his arms. The clothes scattered on the floor were part of Lin Xinyu's deliberate setup for last night’s "battlefield."
The sound of the door opening, accompanied by hurried footsteps, announced their arrival. Mother Gu's anxious pace made my heart skip a beat. But the footsteps stopped by the bed, and I guessed that Mother Gu must have seen my face.
With a "click," I silently cursed my luck; this would come at a cost! I wanted to cry but could only force myself to appear calm.
Finally, the footsteps faded away, and the door closed. I let out a sigh of relief but still dared not move. It wasn't until the phone rang again that I hurriedly escaped this awkward situation.
"Mother Gu has left and even sent me a photo," Lin Xinyu said on the phone.
We had already bribed the security guard, so Lin Xinyu was sure that Mother Gu had really left before calling me. I simply replied, "Just act shocked and heartbroken."
Lin Xinyu responded, "Well, let's go have breakfast together."
I was hungry and didn't want to stay at Gu Xijue's house any longer. It was still early outside and a bit chilly. Lin Xinyu seemed to know I was underdressed and brought me a jacket. To be honest, she was quite thoughtful; no wonder she was so likable.
As we sat down at the breakfast shop, Lin Xinyu suddenly called out to me, "Sister Ning, don't worry. I will explain everything to Xijue and make him understand your intentions."
"Sister Ning?" I nearly choked; when did Lin Xinyu and I become so close?
"Just handle it as you see fit, but remember to make him give me the money," I emphasized. With the money in place, everything would be negotiable. If worse came to worst, I could sell the apartment and live a carefree life in a remote town.
Lin Xinyu curiously asked, "Sister Ning, your family is so wealthy; why are you still so eager to make money?"
I looked into her eyes and smiled without answering, "You'll understand when the time comes."
When that time comes, you'll realize that you are the true heiress, and Mother Gu will change her attitude towards you dramatically. I must say, this Lin Xinyu is practically the main character in a feel-good story!
Gu Xijue quickly transferred 500,000 to me again, indicating that he is quite satisfied with our cooperation. Mother Gu also completely believes that Gu Xijue and I are really together, occasionally inviting me over as a guest. I don't decline, as I need to play my part fully; this is also a part of my plan.
Gu Xijue has officially become the heir of the Gu Family, and he is secretly dating Lin Xinyu. As for me, I have set up a small home and become a shareholder in Xiang Qi Company, which provides me with significant security; at least I am no longer financially dependent on others.
One day, I received a call from my parents. Hearing that familiar voice made me feel uneasy. In my previous life, it was this father who once cared for me but ultimately said "I don't want you."
"Sweetheart, why aren't you speaking?" my father asked on the other end of the line.
I blinked my reddened eyes and tried to keep my tone calm: "Dad, I would like a transfer, a voluntary gift kind of thing."
"You little money-grubber," my father laughed. Shortly after, I heard a notification sound; 200,000 had arrived in my Alipay account.
At that moment, I felt like I was alive again. This money was not just material support; it was also my parents' love and concern. My birthday was approaching, which also meant I would soon be leaving this place.
My birthday arrived, and this birthday party was even more extravagant than in my previous life. However, I couldn't feel any joy because I knew what secrets were hidden behind it.
Lin Zimei came over to hug me, but I quickly moved aside. I really had no fondness for her. If she hadn't suggested coming herself, I wouldn't have let her attend at all.
My nominal mother took the stage and glanced at me; her gaze was meaningful. My heart tightened as I knew something was about to happen.
As expected, Lin Xinyu should have emerged from backstage holding a paternity test. But when my mother spoke, I was stunned.
"Thank you all for coming to celebrate my daughter Lu Xinyu's birthday."
Lu Xinyu? I was bewildered, and so was everyone else in the room. I stared at my mother on stage as she continued, "Yes, my daughter is named Lu Xinyu; we have done the paternity test. As for Lu Ningning, she is not my biological child."
All eyes were on me, and I felt humiliated and angry. I looked at Gu Xijue and Mother Gu; they seemed to have known all along. It turned out that for the past few days, I was the only one kept in the dark.
What was going on? Why was this life different from the last? Was it because my behavior had changed? My eyes were a bit red; I never expected to be used as a stepping stone.
I had originally planned to leave gracefully after Lin Xinyu appeared. But now it seemed I was the clown. The birthday party my parents had meticulously planned was actually to introduce their real daughter.
I watched Lu Xinyu being pushed into the spotlight, feeling both angry and unwilling. But I knew I couldn't lose my composure. I turned to leave, thankful that I had a place to stay, money, and didn't rely on anyone.
I left the hotel, wearing a thin dress, shivering in the cold wind. My phone vibrated; it was a message from my nominal father.
"I'm sorry. But I don't want my biological daughter to suffer."
Sorry? Wasn't this just telling me that everything was intentional? They had known all along that I wasn't their biological child, while I foolishly cherished this familial bond—how ironic!
I wandered aimlessly, wanting to sit down and rest, but the dress was too short, so I could only stand there, looking at this bustling yet indifferent city. I never expected to leave in such a disgraceful manner.
Suddenly, I felt a shadow behind me; my heart tightened. When I turned around, it was a man's chest. Looking up, it was Xiang Qi.
He took off his coat and draped it over me, his eyes filled with concern: "My little princess, what happened?"
I lowered my head, not wanting him to see my red eyes, feeling a mix of emotions inside. Xiang Qi still asked me what was wrong; he had been there and witnessed everything.
"Don't be sad; you still have me," Xiang Qi said gently.
"I'm not sad at all; I'm a major shareholder," I replied, pretending to be strong.
"Does the major shareholder have any interest in visiting my company?" Xiang Qi suddenly asked.
I looked up at him, a bit surprised. Was this an unexpected delight for me?
In my previous workplace, as soon as they found out I was the Fake Heiress, they immediately kicked me out. However, I wasn't worried at all because I was already part of Xiang Qi Company. I studied journalism, and this job allowed me to showcase my skills, which felt quite satisfying.
After cutting off contact with my former company and acquaintances, I devoted myself entirely to my new life. I tried sending a message to Lin Zimei, but as expected, she blocked me. Now I understood that those disdainful looks and gossip were all in the past; I was now heading towards a brighter future.
My relationship with Xiang Qi also quietly changed. We were together. We had seen each other at our lowest points but had come to appreciate each other's value more clearly. We supported each other and grew together; this feeling was truly happy.
This year, e-commerce was booming, and Xiang Qi's internet company was thriving. His father, Xiang Lin, finally recognized his talent, but Xiang Qi didn't care about that at all. He said he just wanted to run his company well and be a good boyfriend to me.
One day, while chatting with Xiang Qi, he suddenly said, "I knew you would definitely succeed."
I smiled back at him and replied, "Isn't it because you have a smart girlfriend?"
He seriously said, "Without me, you would still succeed."
I shook my head and told him, "Without Ning Ning, your success wouldn't be complete."
I stared into Xiang Qi's eyes; at that moment, I was truly moved by his sincerity and deep affection.
My little place was close to the company, so I often stayed there. But this guy, Xiang Qi, always found reasons to squeeze in with me—either saying "Ning Ning, I'm afraid of the dark," or "Ning Ning, it's raining." His excuses sometimes made me laugh and cry at the same time, but I could only indulge him.
One day when I returned home, I found an uninvited guest standing at my door—True Daughter of the Lu Family, Lu Xinyu.
She looked at me and Xiang Qi with a complex expression, as if she had something to say.
"Lu Ningning, can we talk?" she finally spoke up.
I frowned, not wanting to get involved with her. "What do we have to talk about?"
"Don't you want to know about your relatives?" she asked again.
I coldly replied, "No."
After saying that, I opened the door with my fingerprint and prepared to go inside. But Lu Xinyu suddenly grabbed my arm.
"What are you doing?" I said impatiently.
"Lu Ningning, please, let's talk," she pleaded.
I sighed and let her in. I wanted to see what Lu Xinyu was up to.
As soon as she entered, she called out, "Sister."
I was taken aback; I didn't expect her to call me that. I looked at her, waiting for her to continue.
This time, Lu Xinyu came to me with a face full of remorse. She said that the Lu Family had finally found the culprit behind my misfortunes. Guess what? It turned out to be her adoptive mother, Lin Ru.
Lu Xinyu gritted her teeth when mentioning Lin Ru and even took her to court. Lin Ru was Lu Li, my so-called father's first love. Lu Li herself never expected that her first love would turn out to be such a ruthless character.
Lu Xinyu thought that Lin Ru would face retribution, but Lin Ru said that Lu Li's retribution had already come because I had "passed away." It turned out that years ago, Lu Li's wife gave birth to twins, but one of the girls was barely alive. The hospital, fearing responsibility, claimed there was only one. Lin Ru took the opportunity to take the girl, which was me.
Ultimately, it was Lu Li's lack of affection for his wife and his indifference to the situation that allowed Lin Ru to exploit the gap. Lin Ru raised me but wanted me to be mediocre and unsuccessful. However, I happened to be successful, which made Lin Ru uneasy. She then schemed for the sisters to turn against each other, ultimately leading to my "passing away."
Hearing all this, I felt a mix of emotions. Although I am no longer that Fake Heiress, this past still pains me. I looked at Lu Xinyu, whose eyes were filled with regret and sorrow.
"I know that nothing I say can make up for the past mistakes," Lu Xinyu said softly, "but I truly hope you can forgive me and give me a chance."
I remained silent for a moment and took a deep breath.
"Lu Xinyu, I can't forget the past," I said slowly, "but I also don't want hatred to continue entangling us. We can choose to let go and start anew."
Upon hearing this, Lu Xinyu's eyes turned red. She tightly grasped my hand as if trying to convey her determination and gratitude.
"Thank you, Ning Ning," she choked out. "I will prove my change through my actions."
"Sister, in my previous life, I felt very guilty. I didn't expect to have another chance but still arrived too late, allowing you to suffer at your birthday banquet." Lu Xinyu's words moved me somewhat, but I wasn't sure if I should trust her.
She took a few strands of my hair for a paternity test, and after a few days, the report came back with a 99% similarity. This dramatic life truly left me speechless, but the fact was right before me: Lu Xinyu really is my biological sister.
"Sister, now you believe me, right? Let's go back and find Mom and Dad together," Lu Xinyu looked at me expectantly.
But I shook my head. Although I knew the truth, my feelings toward the Lu Family had become complicated. I felt fine as I was and didn't want any further ties with the Lu Family.
Lu Xinyu respected my thoughts and did not push me. However, she occasionally bought me things, which made me feel a bit awkward.
Suddenly remembering something, I asked her, "Did you break up with Gu Xijue?"
Lu Xinyu nodded, her eyes somewhat dim.
I curiously asked, "Why break up? Didn't you both really like each other?"
Lu Xinyu said, "He thinks I've changed. I've started over and become different from who I was before."
"Are you sad about it? After all, you liked him so much," I asked.
Lu Xinyu nodded but then said, "I'm sad, but I know I want to apologize to my sister more. Compared to love, I want to make up for the mistakes of the past."
Looking into her sincere eyes, I suddenly forgave her.
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